Big traffic concerns in Laval ahead of Place Bell opening

This year's fall opening of Place Bell in Laval has area residents concerned about increased traffic.

Specifically, motorists hogging free parking.

The arena will seat roughly 10,000 people and will be the home of the Montreal Canadiens farm team, the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League.

The facility is located near the Montmorency metro station and a resident tells the Gazette many already park on his street when using the metro, adding the problem will only worsen.

A proposed bylaw states nearby shopping malls would allow for rented parking during events at the arena, though over 800 residents, including the resident, Paul Goudreault, signed a petition opposing the regulation.

Enough signatures were gathered to force the city to either withdraw the bylaw or hold a referendum on it.

Some city councillors argue Laval should have a better plan.

But, mayor Marc Demers tells the newspaper the opposition is looking to score political points by opposing the bylaw, pointing out city council passed it unanimously.

Demers adds the bylaw is just one part of a more comprehensive plan Laval is working on, that the plan will be tabled later this year.

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